German director Wim Wenders has withdrawn his 1975 film Wrong Move from circulation due to a scene showing child actress Nastassja Kinski topless when she was 13 years old. The director announced the decision through a public statement released Wednesday, instructing streaming services, television networks, and distribution partners to stop making the film publicly available.
In his statement, Wenders acknowledged that the young actor should have received better protection during the filming process. The decision marks a significant moment for the acclaimed filmmaker, who is known for directing Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire, among other celebrated works.
The withdrawal removes Wrong Move from all forms of distribution nearly five decades after its initial release. The film will no longer be accessible through theatrical screenings, home video releases, or streaming platforms where it previously appeared.
The decision reflects evolving cultural standards regarding the depiction of minors in cinema. In recent years, conversations within the film industry have intensified around content involving children and the responsibility that filmmakers and rights holders carry when reassessing older works. Similar discussions have emerged regarding other films from previous decades that included scenes now widely considered inappropriate or exploitative.
Kinski, who became a prominent actress during the 1970s and 1980s, was at the beginning of her career when Wrong Move was filmed. She has not made public statements about the withdrawal of the film.
Wenders' decision to voluntarily withdraw the work demonstrates an approach some filmmakers have taken to address problematic content in their own catalogs rather than waiting for external pressure or public controversy to force their hand. The director's foundation will oversee the removal of the film from distribution networks.
The withdrawal of Wrong Move represents one of the more visible examples of a filmmaker taking direct action regarding archival content that raises serious ethical concerns about child protection. As cultural attitudes continue to shift regarding the treatment and representation of minors in entertainment, other filmmakers and studios may face similar decisions about works in their collections.
The film had remained in distribution for nearly 50 years before this withdrawal, suggesting that awareness of the problematic scene may have increased in recent years as discussions around child safety in film production have become more prominent. Wenders' statement indicates a recognition that industry standards have changed significantly since the film's production in the mid-1970s.